Old Quarry Lane, Wakeham Meadow, Wakeham Railway Cuttings, Penns Wood, St Andrew's Church, Church Ope Cove, Penn's Weare, Penn's Copse, Rufus Castle and Portland Museum
When someone points out that there is a big black cloud heading our way, maybe next time I will take notice. Needless to say that when I bumped into Erin (Assistant Warden at Portland Bird Observatory), she did point out that rain was imminent. Having foolishly ignored her warning I can only say that Ted and I got absolutely soaked.
Even though we tried getting off the beach and head home quickly, the rain absolutely poured down. It was so heavy there was a waterfall coming over and down the 151 steps from Rufus Castle to the cove. And with a very bright flash of lightening and a loud clap of thunder, we knew we were in for a soaking!!
However we did have a good walk up until then and the sea watch was amazing, especially the Gannets as they came right in close to the cove. In the 30 minutes I was there, I must have counted over 50 going up and down the coastline.
There was no sign of the Black Redstart today, perhaps it saw the rain coming, and this afternoon there were 25 Rock Pipits, up 4 on yesterday. I did try looking for the ringed individual, but no joy on this ocassion.
At the back of the cove a small flock of Siskins landed in the Sycamores, whilst in Penns Wood there was a good gathering of Great Tits, Blue Tits, Long-tailed Tits, Chaffinches, Goldfinches and 2 Goldcrests.
Here are a few images and videos from today:
When someone points out that there is a big black cloud heading our way, maybe next time I will take notice. Needless to say that when I bumped into Erin (Assistant Warden at Portland Bird Observatory), she did point out that rain was imminent. Having foolishly ignored her warning I can only say that Ted and I got absolutely soaked.
Even though we tried getting off the beach and head home quickly, the rain absolutely poured down. It was so heavy there was a waterfall coming over and down the 151 steps from Rufus Castle to the cove. And with a very bright flash of lightening and a loud clap of thunder, we knew we were in for a soaking!!
However we did have a good walk up until then and the sea watch was amazing, especially the Gannets as they came right in close to the cove. In the 30 minutes I was there, I must have counted over 50 going up and down the coastline.
There was no sign of the Black Redstart today, perhaps it saw the rain coming, and this afternoon there were 25 Rock Pipits, up 4 on yesterday. I did try looking for the ringed individual, but no joy on this ocassion.
At the back of the cove a small flock of Siskins landed in the Sycamores, whilst in Penns Wood there was a good gathering of Great Tits, Blue Tits, Long-tailed Tits, Chaffinches, Goldfinches and 2 Goldcrests.
Here are a few images and videos from today:
There were some very large waves hitting the beach at Church Ope Cove
The shape of the beach has definitely changed over the past few days.
On the beach were 25 Rock Pipits......
..........sadly I couldn't relocate the ringed bird from yesterday or the Black Redstart.
There were no bees or hoverflies seen today but........
...............there were certainly plenty of Common Wasps about.
And Ted, who like me 10 minutes after this photograph was taken, was absolutely soaked
Mammals Recorded: 2 Grey Squirrel
Birds Recorded: 50+ Gannet, Cormorant, Shag, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, 25 Rock Pipit, 1 Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 2 Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, 3 Raven, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Siskin and Goldfinch
Wasps Recorded: Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris)
Flies, Craneflies, Gnats and Midges Recorded: Kelp Fly (Coelopa frigida)
Ships Today
This is the British Passenger Ship "Britannia" doing "circuits" out in the English Channel.
The weather was horrendous and eventually it.........
..............returned to Weymouth Bay. More on this vessel Here.
This is the Cypriot Oil Tanker "Naxos II" anchored up in Weymouth Bay. More on this vessel Here.